Method providing superimposed QR code for dispenser and replaceable reservoir

ABSTRACT

A dispenser with a replaceable cartridge containing a product to be dispensed, and a housing configured to removably receive the cartridge. The cartridge has a surface that is marked with a first marking, and the housing has a surface that is marked with a second marking. The housing is configured so that, when the cartridge is received by the housing, the first marking and the second marking together form a machine readable code that is detectable from outside of the housing.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/595,048 filed May 15, 2017 and claims the benefit of 35U.S.C. 120.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to product dispensers and replaceable productcontaining cartridges that are marked with machine readable codes, suchas UPC codes or QR codes. More particularly, the invention provides aliquid dispenser having a machine readable code that is formed bysuperimposing a first marking, located on the dispenser housing, over asecond marking, located on the dispenser reservoir.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Product dispensers that receive and dispense products from a removableand replaceable cartridge or reservoir are known. For example, many handcleaning liquid dispensers have a housing that is configured to receivea replaceable cartridge containing the liquid to be dispensed. Once allof the liquid contained in the cartridge has been dispensed, thecartridge is removed from the housing and replaced with a new cartridge.

Often, the housing portion of these dispensers is provided to customersat a low cost, and the supplier is compensated through sales of thereplaceable cartridges. This source of revenue may be lost, however, ifcustomers begin using replacement cartridges purchased from acompetitor. To avoid this loss of revenue, dispensers are often providedwith manufacturer-specific lockout systems that are designed to preventthe use of third-party refill products. These lockout systems may beexpensive to design and implement, may increase the complexity of thereplacement operation, and may not always offer complete protectionagainst the use of third-party products.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To at least partially overcome some of the disadvantages of previouslyknown devices, the invention provides a dispenser that is configured toprovide a machine readable code that indicates when a replaceablereservoir component of the dispenser has been received by a reusablehousing component of the dispenser. The present inventors haveappreciated that this machine readable code may be used to track therefill history of the dispenser and/or to provide various benefits tocustomers.

For example, in some embodiments of the invention, the replaceablereservoir is marked with a first marking and the housing is marked witha second marking, and the markings are arranged so that, when thereservoir is received by the housing, the first marking and the secondmarking together form a machine readable code, such as a barcode. Thismay be achieved, for example, by arranging a first part of the barcodeon the replaceable reservoir at a position that sits immediately under atransparent window of the housing, and placing a second part of thebarcode directly on the transparent window, so that the second part issuperimposed over the first part so as to form the complete barcode whenthe replaceable reservoir is received by the housing. The barcode can beread by any suitable barcode reader, such as a smartphone equipped witha camera and appropriate software.

The barcode can be used for a variety of purposes, such as trackingusage of the dispenser and/or providing discounts or other benefits tocustomers. For example, the barcode could contain data that, when readby a compatible device, causes the device to display a rebate code. Thisrebate code would provide an incentive to purchase replacementreservoirs from the original manufacturer, and could thus be used tocomplement or replace a manufacturer-specific lockout system.

The barcode may also contain data that, when read by a web-connecteddevice such as a smartphone, instructs the device to transmitinformation to a usage tracking system operated by the manufacturer. Thetransmitted information would preferably uniquely identify both thehousing and the reservoir, and could be used by the manufacturer tomonitor the rate at which each dispenser is being refilled. An absenceof transmitted data for a particular housing would provide an indicationthat the dispenser is not being refilled with replacement reservoirspurchased from the original manufacturer.

To encourage customers to scan the barcode, a rebate code may beincluded as described above. Alternatively, the usage trackinginformation could be shared with the customer, allowing the customer toeasily track the rate at which its dispensers are being refilled. Thismay be useful, for example, for monitoring hand cleaning compliance in ahealth care facility. For example, the usage tracking information wouldallow the operator of a health care facility to identify dispensers thatare being refilled infrequently, which could provide an indication thatthe workers stationed in the surrounding area are not engaging insufficient hand cleaning activity. The barcode could also be used for anumber of other purposes, such as initiating an order from themanufacturer for additional reservoirs, or commencing a timer thatnotifies the customer when the liquid within the dispenser will expire.

Some alternate embodiments of the invention use tags or markers that areread by non-optical means. For example, in some embodiments thereservoir and the housing are each provided with a radio-frequencyidentification (RFID) tag positioned so that, when the reservoir isreceived by the housing, the two RFID tags are simultaneously readableby a compatible device, such as a handheld RFID reader. The RFID tagspreferably contain data that provides certain information or performs aparticular function only when the two tags are read simultaneously. Forexample, the RFID tag on the housing may direct the RFID reader to opena particular web address, and the RFID tag on the reservoir may providedata that is submitted to the web address. In other embodiments, oneRFID tag may contain encrypted data, and the other RFID tag may containa key for decoding the data. As in the previously described embodiments,the simultaneous reading of the two tags can be used for any number ofpurposes, such as tracking usage or providing discounts to customers.

Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention resides in a dispensercomprising:

a replaceable cartridge containing a product to be dispensed, thecartridge having a cartridge surface that is marked with a firstmarking; and

a housing configured to removably receive the cartridge, the housinghaving a housing surface that is marked with a second marking;

wherein the housing is configured so that, when the cartridge isreceived by the housing, the first marking and the second markingtogether form a machine readable code.

Preferably, the machine readable code is detectable from outside of thehousing. In some embodiments, the housing surface comprises alight-permeable window that is configured so that, when the cartridge isreceived by the housing, at least part of the first marking is opticallydetectable through the light-permeable window. The light-permeablewindow may comprise an opening in the housing surface and/or atransparent wall or panel.

In some embodiments, the machine readable code comprises a barcode;wherein the first marking comprises a first part of the barcode; andwherein the second marking comprises a second part of the barcode. Thebarcode may comprise a two-dimensional barcode, such as a QR code.

The machine readable code may contain data that identifies the cartridgeand the housing and/or that uniquely identifies the combination of thecartridge and the housing.

In some embodiments of the invention, the first marking comprises afirst barcode; the second marking comprises a second barcode; and themachine readable code comprises a third barcode that differs from thefirst barcode and the second barcode. The first barcode may contain datathat identifies the cartridge; the second barcode may contain data thatidentifies the housing; and the third barcode may contain data thatidentifies the cartridge and the housing.

Optionally, the product to be dispensed may be a hand cleaning liquid.

The dispenser may further comprise a coupling mechanism that isconfigured to engage with the cartridge to fixedly locate the cartridgerelative the housing that the first marking and the second marking arejuxtaposed relative each other to form the machine readable barcode,preferably, so as to locate the cartridge inside the housing, with thecartridge surface closely juxtaposed to the transparent wall or panel.Preferably, when the cartridge is received by the housing, the cartridgesurface is positioned within 10 mm of the transparent wall or panel. Insome embodiments, when the cartridge is received by the housing, thecartridge surface contacts the transparent wall or panel.

The cartridge may comprise a reservoir containing the hand cleaningliquid, with the first marking be displayed on a wall of the reservoir.In other embodiments, the cartridge comprises: a reservoir containingthe hand cleaning liquid; a pump connected to the reservoir fordischarging the hand cleaning liquid therefrom; and a collar connectedto the pump, the collar comprising a collar surface; wherein the firstmarking is displayed on the collar surface.

In another aspect, the present invention resides in a method of use of adispenser, the dispenser comprising a housing configured to removablyreceive a replaceable cartridge containing a product to be dispensed,the method comprising:

generating a machine readable code;

marking the cartridge with a first marking, the first marking comprisinga first part of the machine readable code; and

marking the housing with a second marking, the second marking comprisinga second part of the machine readable code;

wherein the first marking and the second marking are positioned so that,when the cartridge is received by the housing, the first marking and thesecond marking together form the machine readable code.

In some embodiments, marking the housing comprises marking the secondmarking on or adjacent to a light-permeable window of the housing; andmarking the cartridge comprises marking the first marking on a surfaceof the cartridge that, when the cartridge is received by the housing, ispositioned behind the light-permeable window, so that the first part ofthe machine readable code is detectable through the light-permeablewindow.

The method may further comprise: placing the cartridge within thehousing; and reading the machine readable code with a compatible device.Preferably, the machine readable code is read by the compatible deviceshortly after the cartridge is placed within the housing, such as within1 hour.

The method may further comprise transmitting data read from the machinereadable code to a server.

In some embodiments, generating the machine readable code comprisesencoding, within the machine readable code, a housing identifier thatuniquely identifies the housing; and transmitting the data read from themachine readable code comprises transmitting the housing identifier tothe server.

The method may further comprise: recording a location of the housing;associating the location of the housing with the housing identifier; andusing the housing identifier to associate the data transmitted to theserver with the location of the housing.

In some embodiments, generating the machine readable code comprisesencoding, within the machine readable code, information indicating thatthe cartridge is received in the housing; encoding, within the machinereadable code, a housing identifier that uniquely identifies thehousing, and a cartridge identifier that uniquely identifies thecartridge; encoding, within the machine readable code, information thatuniquely identifies the combination of the housing and the cartridge;and/or encoding a discount code within the machine readable code. Themethod may further comprise using the discount code to provide a creditto a purchaser of the cartridge or the housing.

Generating the machine readable code may also comprise encoding aUniform Resource Locator (URL) within the machine readable code.

In some embodiments, generating the machine readable code comprisesencoding, within the machine readable code, a housing identifier thatuniquely identifies the housing, and a cartridge identifier thatuniquely identifies the cartridge; and transmitting data read from themachine readable code comprises transmitting the housing identifier andthe cartridge identifier to the server.

The method may further comprise transmitting a date that the machinereadable code is read by the compatible device to the server and/ortransmitting an account identifier associated with the compatible deviceto the server.

Generating the machine readable code may comprise encoding, within themachine readable code, data that, when read by the compatible device,instructs the device to initiate an order from a supplier.

In some embodiments, generating the machine readable code comprisesencoding, within the machine readable code, data that represents astorage life of the product; and the method further comprisesinitiating, after the machine readable code is read by the compatibledevice, a timer that reflects the storage life of the product.

The method may further comprise transmitting data read from the machinereadable code to a usage tracking system and/or transmitting data readfrom the machine readable code to a supplier discount system.

In some preferred embodiments, the replaceable cartridge is a firstreplaceable cartridge and the machine readable code is a first machinereadable code, and the method further comprises:

providing a second replaceable cartridge containing the product to bedispensed, the second cartridge configured to be removably received bythe housing;

generating a second machine readable code having a first part and asecond part, wherein the first part of the second machine readable codediffers from the first part of the first machine readable code, and thesecond part of the second machine readable code is identical to thesecond part of the first machine readable code; and

marking the second cartridge with a third marking, the third markingcomprising the first part of the second machine readable code;

wherein the third marking and the second marking are positioned so that,when the second cartridge is received by the housing, the third markingand the second marking together form the second machine readable code.

Generating the first machine readable code may comprise encoding, withinthe first machine readable code, information that uniquely identifiesthe combination of the housing and the first cartridge; and generatingthe second machine readable code may comprise encoding, within thesecond machine readable code, information that uniquely identifies thecombination of the housing and the second cartridge.

The method may further comprise: placing the first cartridge within thehousing; reading the first machine readable code with a compatibledevice; transmitting data read from the first machine readable code to ausage tracking system; dispensing the product contained in the firstcartridge from the dispenser; removing the first cartridge from thehousing; placing the second cartridge within the housing; reading thesecond machine readable code with the compatible device; andtransmitting data read from the second machine readable code to theusage tracking system.

In a further aspect, the present invention resides in a methodcomprising:

providing a plurality of dispensers and a plurality of replaceablecartridges containing a product to be dispensed, wherein each of theplurality of dispensers is configured to removably receive at least asubset of the plurality of replaceable cartridges;

marking each of the plurality of replaceable cartridges with a uniquefirst marking; and

marking each of the plurality of dispensers with a unique secondmarking;

wherein the unique first marking and the unique second marking areconfigured so that, when one of the plurality of replaceable cartridgesis received by one of the plurality of dispensers, the unique firstmarking and the unique second marking together form a unique machinereadable code,

wherein the unique machine readable code contains information thatuniquely identifies the combination of the one of the plurality ofreplaceable cartridges and the one of the plurality of dispensers thatare combined to form the unique machine readable code.

In a still further aspect, the present invention resides in a dispensercomprising:

a replaceable cartridge containing a product to be dispensed, thecartridge comprising a first machine readable tag; and

a housing configured to removably receive the cartridge, the housingcomprising a second machine readable tag;

wherein the housing is configured so that, when the cartridge isreceived by the housing, the first machine readable tag and the secondmachine readable tag are positioned relative to one another so as to besimultaneously readable by a compatible device.

In some embodiments, the first machine readable tag comprises a firstRFID tag, and the second machine readable tag comprises a second RFIDtag. In other embodiments, the first machine readable tag comprises afirst barcode, and the second machine readable tag comprises a secondbarcode. The first barcode may comprise a first QR code, and the secondbarcode may comprise a second QR code.

The first machine readable tag may contain encrypted data, and thesecond machine readable tag may contain a key for decoding the encrypteddata.

In some embodiments, the first machine readable tag and the secondmachine readable tag contain data that causes the compatible device toperform an action only when the first machine readable tag and thesecond machine readable tag are read simultaneously by the device.

The cartridge may comprise: a reservoir containing hand cleaning liquid;and a pump connected to the reservoir for discharging the hand cleaningliquid therefrom.

In another aspect, the present invention resides in a method of use of adispenser, the dispenser comprising a housing configured to removablyreceive a replaceable cartridge containing a product to be dispensed,the method comprising:

placing a first machine readable tag on the cartridge; and

placing a second machine readable tag on the housing;

wherein the first machine readable tag and the second machine readabletag are positioned relative to one another so as to be simultaneouslyreadable by a compatible device when the cartridge is received by thehousing.

In some embodiments, the first machine readable tag comprises a firstRFID tag, and the second machine readable tag comprises a second RFIDtag; and placing the first machine readable tag comprises placing thefirst RFID tag at a position on the cartridge where the first RFID tagis readable by the compatible device, from outside of the housing, whenthe cartridge is received by the housing.

In other embodiments, the first machine readable tag comprises a firstbarcode, and the second machine readable tag comprises a second barcode;and placing the first machine readable tag comprises placing the firstbarcode at a position on the cartridge where the first barcode isvisible, from outside of the housing, when the cartridge is received bythe housing.

The method may further comprise: encoding encrypted data in the firstmachine readable tag; and encoding a key for decoding the encrypted datain the second machine readable tag. The method may also compriseencoding, within the first machine readable tag and the second machinereadable tag, data that causes the compatible device to perform anaction only when the first machine readable tag and the second machinereadable tag are read simultaneously by the device.

In some preferred embodiments, the method further comprises: placing thecartridge within the housing; and simultaneously reading the firstmachine readable tag and the second machine readable tag with thedevice. Preferably, the first machine readable tag and the secondmachine readable tag are read simultaneously by the device shortly afterthe cartridge is placed within the housing, such as within 1 hour.

The method may further comprise transmitting data read from the firstmachine readable tag and the second machine readable tag to a server.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises encoding, within thesecond machine readable tag, a housing identifier that uniquelyidentifies the housing; and transmitting the data read from the firstmachine readable tag and the second machine readable tag comprisestransmitting the housing identifier to the server.

The method may further comprise: recording a location of the housing;associating the location of the housing with the housing identifier; andusing the housing identifier to associate the data transmitted to theserver with the location of the housing.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises: placing the cartridgewithin the housing; and simultaneously reading the first machinereadable tag and the second machine readable tag with the device, so asto cause the device to perform the action. The action may comprisetransmitting or recording information indicating that the cartridge isreceived in the housing.

The method may further comprise: encoding, within the first machinereadable tag, a cartridge identifier that uniquely identifies thecartridge; and encoding, within the second machine readable tag, ahousing identifier that uniquely identifies the housing.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises: encoding, within thefirst machine readable tag, a cartridge identifier that uniquelyidentifies the cartridge; and encoding, within the second machinereadable tag, a housing identifier that uniquely identifies the housing;wherein the action comprises transmitting or recording the cartridgeidentifier and the housing identifier. In some embodiments, the actioncomprises displaying a discount code. The method may further compriseusing the discount code to provide a credit to a purchaser of thecartridge or the housing.

In some embodiments, the action may comprise opening a Uniform ResourceLocator (URL); transmitting or recording a date that the first machinereadable tag and the second machine readable tag are read simultaneouslyby the device; transmitting an account identifier associated with thecompatible device; initiating an order from a supplier; starting a timerthat reflects a storage life of the product; transmitting information toa usage tracking system; and/or transmitting information to a supplierdiscount system.

In some preferred embodiments, the replaceable cartridge is a firstreplaceable cartridge, and the method further comprises:

providing a second replaceable cartridge containing the product to bedispensed, the second cartridge configured to be removably received bythe housing; and

placing a third machine readable tag on the second replaceablecartridge;

wherein the third machine readable tag and the second machine readabletag are positioned relative to one another so as to be simultaneouslyreadable by the compatible device when the second cartridge is receivedby the housing.

The method may further comprise: encoding, within the first machinereadable tag, a first cartridge identifier that uniquely identifies thefirst cartridge; encoding, within the second machine readable tag, ahousing identifier that uniquely identifies the housing; and encoding,within the third machine readable tag, a second cartridge identifierthat uniquely identifies the second cartridge.

The method may additionally comprise: placing the first cartridge withinthe housing; simultaneously reading the first machine readable tag andthe second machine readable tag with the compatible device; recording ortransmitting the first cartridge identifier and the housing identifier;dispensing the product contained in the first cartridge from thedispenser; removing the first cartridge from the housing; placing thesecond cartridge within the housing; simultaneously reading the thirdmachine readable tag and the second machine readable tag with thecompatible device; and recording or transmitting the second cartridgeidentifier and the housing identifier.

In a still further aspect, the present invention resides in a methodcomprising:

providing a plurality of dispensers and a plurality of replaceablecartridges containing a product to be dispensed, wherein each of theplurality of dispensers is configured to removably receive at least asubset of the plurality of replaceable cartridges;

placing a unique machine readable cartridge tag on each of the pluralityof replaceable cartridges; and

placing a unique machine readable dispenser tag on each of the pluralityof dispensers;

wherein, when one of the plurality of replaceable cartridges is receivedby one of the plurality of dispensers to form a unique combination, theunique machine readable cartridge tag and the unique machine readabledispenser tag are positioned relative to one another so as to besimultaneously readable by a compatible device; and

wherein the unique machine readable cartridge tag and the unique machinereadable dispenser tag contain data that, when read simultaneously bythe compatible device, causes the device to record or transmitinformation that uniquely identifies the one of the plurality ofreplaceable cartridges and the one of the plurality of dispensersforming the unique combination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further aspects and advantages of the invention will appear from thefollowing description taken together with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a liquid dispenser in accordance with afirst preferred embodiment of the invention, with a replaceablereservoir contained within a housing of the dispenser;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the liquid dispenser shown in FIG. 1,with the replaceable reservoir removed;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the liquid dispenser shown in FIG. 1,with a front cover of the housing shown in an open condition, and thereplaceable reservoir spaced from the housing;

FIG. 4 shows a front view of the liquid dispenser shown in FIG. 1, withthe replaceable reservoir removed;

FIG. 5 shows a front view of the liquid dispenser shown in FIG. 1, withthe front cover of the housing shown in the open condition;

FIG. 6 shows a side view of the liquid dispenser shown in FIG. 1, withthe front cover removed to show the relative positioning of thereplaceable reservoir and a transparent window of the housing;

FIG. 7 shows a front view of the liquid dispenser shown in FIG. 1, witha smartphone shown reading a QR code on the dispenser;

FIG. 8 shows a schematic representation of a QR code;

FIG. 9 shows a QR code from the housing of the liquid dispenser shown inFIG. 4;

FIG. 10 shows a QR code from the replaceable reservoir of the liquiddispenser shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 shows a combined QR code that is formed by superimposing the QRcode of FIG. 9 over the QR code of FIG. 10, as occurs when thereplaceable reservoir is contained within the housing of the liquiddispenser shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 shows a partial QR code which may optionally be used in place ofthe QR code shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of a pump assembly with an attachedcollar, which may optionally be used in conjunction with the liquiddispenser shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 shows a front view of a liquid dispenser in accordance with asecond preferred embodiment of the invention, with a replaceablereservoir contained within a housing of the dispenser, and showing ahandheld barcode scanner reading a UPC code on the dispenser;

FIG. 15 shows a front view of the liquid dispenser shown in FIG. 14,with the replaceable reservoir removed;

FIG. 16 shows a front view of the liquid dispenser shown in FIG. 14,with a front cover of the housing shown in an open condition;

FIG. 17 shows a front view of a liquid dispenser in accordance with athird preferred embodiment of the invention, with a smartphonesimultaneously reading RFID tags on a replaceable reservoir and on ahousing of the dispenser; and

FIG. 18 shows a front view of the liquid dispenser shown in FIG. 17,with a front cover of the housing shown in an open condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference is made first to FIGS. 1 to 7, which show a liquid dispenser10 in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention. Theliquid dispenser 10 dispenses hand cleaning products such as soap orhand sanitizer, and has a reusable housing 12 that contains areplaceable reservoir cartridge 14.

The housing 12 includes a back panel 16 for mounting the housing 12 to awall or similar support structure, as well as a hinged front cover 18.The hinged front cover 18 has a top 100 and two side walls 78. As can beseen in FIG. 3, a rod 76 extends along axis A-A′ between side walls 78.The rod 76 passes through a flange 80 of the back panel 16, permittingthe front cover 18 to pivot about axis A-A′ between an open position anda closed position. The housing 12 also includes a bottle support member82, which is configured to engage with a pump assembly 32 of thecartridge 14 to fixedly locate the cartridge 14 within the housing 12.

The front cover 18 includes a transparent window 20, which permitsvisual inspection of the contents of the housing 12. As is best shown inFIGS. 2 and 4, a housing quick response (QR) code 22 is displayed on thetransparent window 20. For ease of illustration, the QR code 22 is shownas a schematic representation the same as in FIG. 8 rather than as anexemplary QR code 22 as in FIGS. 4 and 9.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the reservoir cartridge 14 comprises a plasticcontainer or bottle 84 which is coupled to a pump assembly 32. Thebottle 84 contains the liquid 30 to be dispensed by the dispenser 10,and has a front facing surface 38 which displays a bottle QR code 40.For ease of illustration, the QR code 40 is shown as a schematicrepresentation the same as in FIG. 8 rather than as an exemplary QR code40 as in FIGS. 5 and 10. The pump assembly 32 is configured to couplewith the bottle support member 82, and to discharge the liquid 30contained within the bottle 84 when activated.

When mounted in place within the housing 12, with the pump assembly 32received by the bottle support member 82, the pump assembly 32 isoperatively connected to an actuator 34. When the actuator 34 isdepressed, the pump assembly 32 is activated to discharge an allotmentof the liquid 30 from the cartridge 14. The discharged liquid 30 may,for example, be used to clean or sanitize a user's hand 36.

Any suitable construction of the housing 12 and the cartridge 14,including any number of different configurations of the pump assembly32, bottle support member 82 and actuator 34 could be used with thepresent invention, including for example those described in U.S. Pat.No. 7,984,825 to Ophardt et al., issued Jul. 26, 2011; U.S. Pat. No.8,684,236 to Ophardt, issued Apr. 1, 2014; U.S. Pat. No. 5,373,970 toOphardt, issued Dec. 20, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,482 to Ophardt etal., issued Nov. 17, 1998; U.S. Pat. No. 8,113,388 to Ophardt et al.,issued Feb. 14, 2012; and U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2015/0190827 to Ophardt et al., published Jul. 9, 2015, which areincorporated herein by reference.

The liquid dispenser 10 is configured so that, when the cartridge 14 ismounted within the housing 12, and the front cover 18 is moved to theclosed position, the housing QR code 22 is superimposed over the bottleQR code 40, so as to form a combined QR code 48, as shown in FIGS. 1, 7and 11. In order for the combined QR code 48 to be machine readable, thehousing QR code 22 and the bottle QR code 40 need to be properly alignedand closely juxtaposed. This is achieved by configuring and sizing thecartridge 14 so that the cartridge surface 38 sits closely behind thetransparent window 20 when the cartridge 14 is received by the housing12, as is best shown in FIG. 6. Preferably, the cartridge surface 38 ispositioned within 10 mm of the transparent window 20. In someembodiments, the cartridge surface 38 may be configured to contact thewindow 20, to bring the housing QR code 22 and the bottle QR code 40 asclose together as possible. The bottle support member 82 is furthermoreconfigured to hold the pump assembly 32 in a precise, fixed position, toensure that the housing QR code 22 and the bottle QR code 40 areproperly aligned.

To illustrate how the housing QR code 22, the bottle QR code 40 and thecombined QR code 48 may function, reference is first made to theschematic representation of an exemplary QR code 74 that is shown inFIG. 8. The QR code 74 is divided into a number of different codingregions 74A, 74B, and 74C, with each coding region 74A, 74B, and 74Cencoding a distinct set of information. For example, a first codingregion 74A could encode the address of a particular web domain, such aswww.example.com. A second coding region 74B could further specify adirectory of the parent domain, such as /directory; and a third codingregion 74C could specify a subdirectory, such as /subdirectory. When theentire QR code 74 is read by a compatible device, the code 74 woulddirect the device to open the web addresswww.example.com/directory/subdirectory.

Because the QR code 74 is divided into distinct coding regions 74A, 74Band 74C, it is possible to read the code 74 even when the second codingregion 74B and/or the third coding region 74C are missing. For example,if the third coding region 74C is omitted, the first and second codingregions 74A and 74B can still be read to direct the device to the webaddress www.example.com/directory. If both the second region 74B and thethird region 74C are omitted, reading the first coding region 74A of QRcode 74 directs the device to the web address www.example.com.

Another consequence of dividing the QR code 74 into distinct codingregions 74A, 74B and 74C is that the data contained in one coding region74C can be changed without affecting the data contained in the othercoding regions 74A and 74B. This permits the coding regions 74A, 74B and74C of different QR codes 74 to be mixed and matched, creating new QRcodes 74 that remain machine readable, with the information contained ineach coding region 74A, 74B and 74C still intact.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the housing QRcode 22 and the bottle QR code 40 are similarly divided into a number ofdistinct regions. In particular, the housing QR code 22 is shown in FIG.9 as including a housing data region 24, a conserved region 26, and anunused region 28. The unused region 28 is free of markings, such thatthe space immediately behind the unused region 28 is visible through thetransparent window 20.

The bottle QR code 40 is shown in FIG. 10 as including a bottle dataregion 42 and a conserved region 26. The conserved region 26 in thebottle QR code 40 corresponds identically to the conserved region 26 inthe housing QR code 22. The bottle data region 42 differs from thehousing data region 24 and the unused region 28 of the housing QR code22, and includes an insertable region 44 and a non-insertable region 46.

When the housing QR code 22 is superimposed over the bottle QR code 40,as occurs when the cartridge 14 is contained within the housing 12, acombined QR code 48 is formed as illustrated in FIG. 11. The combined QRcode 48 includes the housing data region 24 and the conserved region 26of the housing QR code 22, as these coding regions are displayed on thetransparent window 20 and thus remain visible when the cartridge 14 isreceived by the housing 12. The conserved region 26 and thenon-insertable region 46 of the bottle QR code 40 are hidden behind thehousing data region 24 and the conserved region 26 of the housing QRcode 22, and thus do not form part of the combined QR code 48. Theinsertable region 44 of the bottle QR code 40, however, remains visiblethrough the transparent window 20 under the unused region 28, and thusis included in the combined QR code 48. As described above, thecartridge 14 and the transparent window 20 must be precisely aligned toensure that the insertable region 44 of the bottle QR code 40 sitsimmediately behind the unused region 28 of the housing QR code 22, toensure that the combined QR code 48 is properly formed and machinereadable. The combined QR code 48 may be read by any suitable device,such as a smartphone 50 having a camera and QR code reading software, asshown in FIG. 7.

The combined QR code 48 may be used for a number of different purposeswhich take advantage of the fact that the code 48 only appears when thereservoir cartridge 14 is mounted within the housing 12. For example,the combined QR code 48 could contain data that represents a discountcode for obtaining a discount or rebate from the manufacturer of thedispenser 10. This could be achieved, for example, by including aportion of the discount code within the housing data region 24 of thehousing QR code 22, and a portion of the discount code within theinsertable region 44 of the bottle QR code 40, such that the entirediscount code can only be read from the combined QR code 48, whichincludes both regions 24 and 44.

The discount code could be used as an incentive for customers to buyreplacement cartridges 14 from the original manufacturer of thedispenser 10. For example, each combination of a housing 12 and acartridge 14 could produce a different combined QR code 48 containing adifferent discount code, allowing customers to accumulate discounts overtime by purchasing replacement cartridges 14 from the originalmanufacturer. These discounts could be used, for example, to offset theoriginal purchase price of the dispenser 10.

The combined QR code 48 could also contain data that, when read by acompatible device, instructs the device to access or transmitinformation to a server 52 operated by the manufacturer of the dispenser10. For example, the conserved region 26 could contain data that, whenread by a smartphone 50, directs the smartphone 50 to open a web domain,such as www.example.com. Each of the housing data region 24, theinsertable region 44, and the non-insertable region 46 could furthermorecontain data which directs the smartphone 50 to a directory orsubdirectory of the parent domain. For example, the housing QR code 22could direct the smartphone 50 to the web addresswww.example.com/housing123, with the conserved region 26 specifying thedomain www.example.com, and the housing data region 24 specifying thedirectory/housing123. Preferably, this directory is uniquely associatedwith a single housing 12, and thus distinguishes the housing 12 from allother housings 12 that have been produced by the manufacturer. Thedirectory could provide information such as a description of thehousing's 12 features, or a downloadable owner's manual. It could alsodisplay the purchase and refill history of the housing 12, or otheraccount specific information. If account specific information isdisplayed, the directory could be password protected, or only accessibleby devices that have been registered as associated with the customer'saccount.

The bottle QR code 40 could likewise direct the smartphone 50 to the webaddress www.example.com/bottleinfo/bottle321, with the conserved region26 specifying the domain www.example.com, the non-insertable region 46specifying the directory/bottleinfo, and the insertable region 44specifying the subdirectory/bottle321. Preferably, this subdirectory isuniquely associated with a single reservoir 14, and may provideinformation such as the type of liquid 30 contained therein, or thetypes of housings 12 with which the reservoir 14 is compatible.

The combined QR code 48 could furthermore direct the smartphone 50 tothe web address www.example.com/housing123/bottle321, with the conservedregion 26 specifying the domain www.example.com, the housing data region24 specifying the directory/housing123, and the insertable region 44specifying the subdirectory/bottle321. Preferably, this web address isuniquely associated with one particular housing 12 and one particularreservoir 14, such that accessing the web address provides an indicationthat the reservoir 14 has been received within the housing 12. The webaddress may be associated with a usage tracking system, which recordsinformation such as the date and time that the web address was accessed,the account associated with the smartphone 50 that accessed the address,and unique ID numbers associated with the housing 12 and the reservoir14. The information collected by the usage tracking system could be usedby the manufacturer for a number of purposes, such as predicting wheneach customer will require a new supply of cartridges 14, andidentifying customers who do not appear to be refilling their dispensers10 using the manufacturer's cartridges 14. In some embodiments of theinvention, the collected information may be shared with customers, forexample, for use in tracking hand cleaning compliance in a healthcarefacility or the like.

The combined QR code 48 may additionally be used for any desired purposethat is usefully triggered by the placement of the reservoir 14 withinthe housing 12. For example, the combined QR code 48 could instruct thesmartphone 50 to initiate an order from the manufacturer or anassociated supplier, or could cause the smartphone 50 to initiate atimer reflecting the shelf life of the liquid 30. The combined QR code48 could also instruct the smartphone 50 to transmit information to asupplier discount system, which could for example provide discounts tocustomers based on the number of refill cartridges 14 that have beenused over a given time period.

In the embodiment of the invention described above, the housing QR code22 is a machine readable code that can be read independently of thebottle QR code 40. In particular, the housing QR code 22 is preferablydesigned to be machine readable, despite the presence of the unusedregion 28, by encoding all of the data within the conserved region 26and the housing data region 24. In some embodiments of the invention,reading the housing QR code 22 may require software that is configuredto read QR codes that have an unused region 28. The bottle QR code 40 isalso independently machine readable.

It is to be appreciated that the invention also encompasses embodimentswherein the housing 12 and/or the cartridge 14 have markings that arenot independently machine readable, and only form a machine readablecode when combined. For example, in the embodiment of the inventiondescribed above, the bottle QR code 40 could be replaced by the partialQR code 68 shown in FIG. 12. The partial QR code 68 includes only theinsertable region 44, and is not independently readable as a QR code.When the housing QR code 22 is superimposed over the partial QR code 68,the machine readable combined QR code 48 is formed, as in the embodimentdescribed above.

It is furthermore to be appreciated that the bottle QR code 40 could bedisplayed on other surfaces of the cartridge 14, and not necessarily onthe front surface 38 of the reservoir 14. For example, as shown in FIG.13, the pump assembly 32 of the cartridge 14 could incorporate a collar70 having a vertical collar surface 72 upon which the bottle QR code 40could be displayed. The collar surface 72 is preferably configured tosit very closely to the transparent window 20, so that the combined QRcode 48 is easily read. Preferably the collar surface 72 is positionedwithin 10 mm of the transparent window 20, and in some embodiments maycontact the window 20. Use of the collar 70 may help to establish andmaintain the proper alignment of the bottle QR code 40 with the housingQR code 22. For example, in some embodiments of the invention thereservoir 84 may be configured to collapse as the liquid 30 is dispensedtherefrom. By displaying the bottle QR code 40 on the collar surface 72,the alignment of the bottle QR code 40 with the housing QR code 22 canbe maintained as the reservoir 84 collapses.

In some embodiments of the invention, the liquid dispenser 10 may beused as part of a method or system for tracking hand cleaningcompliance. In particular, the manufacturer of the liquid dispenser 10preferably produces a plurality of housings 12 and cartridges 14, witheach housing 12 bearing a unique housing QR code 22 and each cartridge14 bearing a unique bottle QR code 40. Each housing QR code 22preferably contains data in the housing data region 24 that uniquelyidentifies the housing 12 bearing the code 22, such as a housing IDnumber. Each bottle QR code 40 furthermore preferably contains data inthe insertable region 44 that uniquely identifies the cartridge 14bearing the code 40, such as a cartridge ID number. With thisarrangement, each combination of a housing 12 with a cartridge 14produces a unique combined QR code 48 containing data that uniquelyidentifies both the housing 12 and the cartridge 14.

To track hand cleaning compliance, a user of a housing 12 loads a firstcartridge 14 into the housing 12, and then reads the combined QR code 48with a suitable device, such as a smartphone 50. The data that is readincludes an identification of both the housing 12 and the firstcartridge 14, and preferably the smartphone 50 also records the datethat the combined QR code 48 was read. This information may be storedlocally on the smartphone 50, or transmitted to a server 52 of acompliance tracking system.

The user would then use the liquid dispenser 10 until the liquid 30contained in the first cartridge 14 was depleted. At this time, thefirst cartridge 14 would be removed from the housing 12, and a secondcartridge 14 would be installed. The user would then read the newcombined QR code 48, which would include an identification of the secondcartridge 14 and the housing 12, and would record or transmit thisinformation together with the date that the new combined QR code 48 wasread. The process could then be continued for any number of additionalcartridges 14.

This information can be used to provide an estimate of the amount ofliquid 30 that is dispensed from the housing 12 over time. Inparticular, it can be estimated that the liquid 30 contained in thefirst cartridge 14 was used in the time period between when the firstcombined QR code 48 was read and when the second combined QR code 48 wasread. This information may be useful, for example, in the context of ahealth care facility where frequent hand cleaning is required.

The combined QR code 48 is preferably read shortly after each cartridge14 is placed within the housing 12, to ensure that the amount of timebetween cartridge 14 replacements is accurately determined. Preferably,the code 48 is read immediately after the cartridge 14 is placed withinthe housing 12, or within 1 hour thereof.

The location of each housing 12 is preferably recorded, for example,using GPS coordinates. The location can then be associated with thehousing ID number uniquely identifying the housing 12, so that thelocation of the housing 12 can be easily determined from the datacontained within the combined QR code 48. This may be useful, forexample, for associating usage tracking information with particularhousing 12 locations, such as in a large health care facility or thelike.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 14 to 16, which depict a liquid dispenser10 in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention,wherein like numerals are used to denote like components. The dispenser10 shown in FIGS. 14 to 16 corresponds identically to the firstembodiment described above, with the exception that the combined QR code48 is replaced by a combined UPC code 54, and the transparent window 20is replaced by an opening 56 in the cover 18.

As shown in FIG. 15, a first part 58 of the combined UPC code 54 ismarked on the front cover 18 of the housing 12 adjacent to the opening56. As shown in FIG. 16, a second part 60 of the combined UPC code 54 ismarked on the surface 38 of the reservoir cartridge 14. The second part60 is positioned so that, when the cover 18 is in the closed conditionas shown in FIG. 14, the second part 60 is visible through the opening56, and the first part 58 and the second part 60 are positioned adjacentto one another so as to form the combined UPC code 54.

The combined UPC code 54 can be read by a compatible device, such as abarcode scanner 62 as shown in FIG. 14. As in the embodiment describedabove, the UPC code 54 may contain data such as a discount code, whichmay be used to encourage customers to purchase refill cartridges 14 fromthe original manufacturer. The UPC code 54 may also contain data thatuniquely identifies the housing 12 and the reservoir 14, and which maybe transmitted to a server 52 in some embodiments. In particular, themanufacturer could provide customers with software that, when installedon a compatible device such as a smartphone 50, allows the smartphone 50to read the combined UPC code 54, and to transmit the data contained inthe UPC code 54 wirelessly to the server 52.

It is to be appreciated that the invention is not limited specificallyto the use of QR codes and UPC codes. Rather, any suitable opticallymachine readable code type could be used instead, including other typesof linear and two-dimensional barcodes.

The invention may furthermore use other types of tags or markings thatare machine readable by non-optical means. For example, a thirdpreferred embodiment of the invention that uses non-optical tags isshown in FIGS. 17 and 18, wherein like numerals are used to denote likecomponents. In this embodiment, the housing 12 and the cartridge 14 areprovided with a housing RFID tag 64 and a cartridge RFID tag 66,respectively. The tags 64, 66 are positioned so that, when the cartridge14 is received within the housing 12 and the front cover 18 is in theclosed condition, the tags 64, 66 are simultaneously readable by acompatible device, such as an RFID reading smartphone 50, as shown inFIG. 17. The tags 64, 66 may be of the “active” type, with each tag 64,66 having its own power source, or may be of the “passive” type, witheach tag 64, 66 being powered externally by an interrogation signalemitted by an RFID reading device such as the smartphone 50.

The RFID tags 64, 66 preferably contain data that provides certaininformation, or performs a particular function, only when the two tags64, 66 are read simultaneously. For example, the cartridge RFID tag 66could contain encrypted data representing a discount code, and thehousing RFID tag 64 could contain a key for decoding the encrypted data,such that the smartphone 50 is only able to read the discount code whenboth tags 64, 66 are read simultaneously. This could be implemented, forexample, by installing software on the smartphone 50 that is configuredto recognize the data transmitted from the housing RFID tag 64 as anencryption key, and to apply that key to the encrypted data transmittedfrom the cartridge RFID tag 66 when both tags are read simultaneously.

In an alternative embodiment, the housing RFID tag 64 could contain datathat directs the smartphone 50 to a web address, such aswww.example.com/housing123, and the cartridge RFID tag 66 could containdata that specifies a subdirectory, such as/bottle321, so that thesmartphone 50 is directed to the addresswww.example.com/housing123/bottle321 only when both RFID tags 64, 66 areread simultaneously. This embodiment could be used for implementing ausage tracking system, similar to the previously described embodiments.It could also be used for any other function that is usefully triggeredby the simultaneous reading of both tags 64, 66, indicating that thecartridge 14 has been received by the housing 12, including thosedescribed above in reference to the previous embodiments. In someembodiments, the simultaneous reading of both RFID tags 64, 66 causesthe smartphone 50 to perform an action such as recording or transmittingdata read from the tags 64, 66. The housing RFID tag 64 and thecartridge RFID tag 66 furthermore preferably include data that uniquelyidentifies the housing 12 and the cartridge 14, respectively.

Although the embodiment described above uses RFID tags 64, 66 that areread simultaneously, it is to be appreciated that other types of tags ormarkings could also be used to achieve similar results. For example, insome embodiments of the invention two QR codes may be used in place ofthe RFID tags 64, 66. The two QR codes could, for example, be readsimultaneously using software designed for this purpose.

It will be understood that, although various features of the inventionhave been described with respect to one or another of the embodiments ofthe invention, the various features and embodiments of the invention maybe combined or used in conjunction with other features and embodimentsof the invention as described and illustrated herein.

It is to be appreciated that the term “liquid” as used herein isintended to refer broadly to any flowable substance, including gels,creams, foams, emulsions, suspensions, and the like. Although thepreferred embodiments have described the liquid as being a hand cleaningfluid, it is to be appreciated that the invention could also be usedwith dispensers for other types of products, such as beverages orcondiments. The invention could also be with dispensers that dispensenon-liquid products.

It is to be appreciated that the liquid dispenser 10 of the presentinvention need not have the specific constructions that have been shownand described in the preferred embodiments. For example, the housing 12could have a more open structure, such that the cartridge 14 remainsfully or partially visible and accessible when received by the housing12. In such an embodiment, the housing 12 would not necessarily need toinclude a window 20 in order for markings on the cartridge 14 to remainvisible.

It is to be appreciated that the machine readable codes used by theinvention could, in some embodiments, be adapted to be read using lightoutside of the visible range, such as infrared light.

For embodiments of the invention having a machine readable housing QRcode 22, bottle QR code 40, and combined QR code 48, each of the codes22, 40, 48 should generally use the same mask, the same length of thetransfer from the bottle to the housing, and the same error checking andother conserved parameters. It is furthermore to be appreciated that, insome embodiments of the invention, the markings on the cartridge 14 andthe housing 12 are not readable on their own, and only form a machinereadable code when combined. It will be appreciated that embodiments ofthe invention that use visible markings to form an optically machinereadable code, such as a UPC code or a QR code, may be distinguishedfrom embodiments that do not use visible markings to form an opticallymachine readable code, such as the described embodiments thatincorporate RFID tags.

Although this disclosure has described and illustrated certain preferredembodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the inventionis not restricted to these particular embodiments. Rather, the inventionincludes all embodiments which are functional or mechanical equivalentsof the specific embodiments and features that have been described andillustrated herein.

We claim:
 1. A method of use of a dispenser, the dispenser comprising ahousing configured to removably receive a replaceable cartridgecontaining a product to be dispensed, the method comprising: generatinga machine readable code; marking the replaceable cartridge with a firstmarking, the first marking comprising a first part of the machinereadable code; and marking the housing with a second marking, the secondmarking comprising a second part of the machine readable code; whereinthe first marking and the second marking are positioned so that, whenthe replaceable cartridge is received by the housing, the first markingand the second marking together form the machine readable code; andwherein the machine readable code comprises an optically machinereadable code that is detectable from outside of the housing.
 2. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein marking the housing comprisesmarking the second marking on or adjacent to a light-permeable window ofthe housing; and wherein marking the replaceable cartridge comprisesmarking the first marking on a surface of the replaceable cartridgethat, when the replaceable cartridge is received by the housing, ispositioned behind the light-permeable window, so that the first part ofthe machine readable code is detectable through the light-permeablewindow.
 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: placingthe replaceable cartridge within the housing; and reading the machinereadable code with a compatible device.
 4. The method according to claim3, further comprising: transmitting data read from the machine readablecode to a server.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein generatingthe machine readable code comprises at least one of: (i) encoding,within the machine readable code, information indicating that thereplaceable cartridge is received in the housing; (ii) encoding, withinthe machine readable code, a housing identifier that uniquely identifiesthe housing; (iii) encoding, within the machine readable code, acartridge identifier that uniquely identifies the replaceable cartridge;(iv) encoding, within the machine readable code, information thatuniquely identifies the combination of the housing and the replaceablecartridge; (v) encoding a discount code within the machine readablecode; and (vi) encoding a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) within themachine readable code.
 6. The method according to claim 4, whereingenerating the machine readable code comprises encoding, within themachine readable code, a housing identifier that uniquely identifies thehousing; and wherein transmitting the data read from the machinereadable code comprises transmitting the housing identifier to theserver; the method further comprising: recording a location of thehousing; associating the location of the housing with the housingidentifier; and using the housing identifier to associate the datatransmitted to the server with the location of the housing.
 7. Themethod according to claim 4, wherein generating the machine readablecode comprises encoding, within the machine readable code, a housingidentifier that uniquely identifies the housing, and a cartridgeidentifier that uniquely identifies the replaceable cartridge; whereintransmitting data read from the machine readable code comprisestransmitting the housing identifier and the cartridge identifier to theserver; the method further comprising: transmitting a date that themachine readable code is read by the compatible device to the server;and transmitting an account identifier associated with the compatibledevice to the server.
 8. The method according to claim 4, whereingenerating the machine readable code comprises encoding, within themachine readable code, data that, when read by the compatible device,instructs the device to initiate an order from a supplier.
 9. The methodaccording to claim 4, wherein generating the machine readable codecomprises encoding, within the machine readable code, data thatrepresents a storage life of the product; the method further comprisinginitiating, after the machine readable code is read by the compatibledevice, a timer that reflects the storage life of the product.
 10. Themethod according to claim 1, further comprising transmitting data readfrom the machine readable code to a usage tracking system.
 11. Themethod according to claim 5, further comprising at least one of: (a)using the discount code to provide a credit to a purchaser of thereplaceable cartridge or the housing; and (b) transmitting data readfrom the machine readable code to a supplier discount system.
 12. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the optically machine readable codecomprises at least one of: a barcode; a linear barcode; atwo-dimensional barcode; a UPC code; and a QR code.
 13. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the machine readable code consists of asingle barcode.
 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein thereplaceable cartridge is a first replaceable cartridge and the machinereadable code is a first machine readable code, the method furthercomprising: providing a second replaceable cartridge containing theproduct to be dispensed, the second replaceable cartridge configured tobe removably received by the housing; generating a second machinereadable code having a first part and a second part, wherein the firstpart of the second machine readable code differs from the first part ofthe first machine readable code, and the second part of the secondmachine readable code is identical to the second part of the firstmachine readable code; and marking the second replaceable cartridge witha third marking, the third marking comprising the first part of thesecond machine readable code; wherein the third marking and the secondmarking are positioned so that, when the second replaceable cartridge isreceived by the housing, the third marking and the second markingtogether form the second machine readable code; wherein generating thefirst machine readable code comprises encoding, within the first machinereadable code, information that uniquely identifies the combination ofthe housing and the first replaceable cartridge; wherein generating thesecond machine readable code comprises encoding, within the secondmachine readable code, information that uniquely identifies thecombination of the housing and the second replaceable cartridge; themethod further comprising: placing the first replaceable cartridgewithin the housing; reading the first machine readable code with acompatible device; transmitting data read from the first machinereadable code to a usage tracking system; dispensing the productcontained in the first replaceable cartridge from the dispenser;removing the first replaceable cartridge from the housing; placing thesecond replaceable cartridge within the housing; reading the secondmachine readable code with the compatible device; and transmitting dataread from the second machine readable code to the usage tracking system.15. The method according to claim 2, wherein the optically machinereadable code comprises at least one of: a barcode; a linear barcode; atwo-dimensional barcode; a UPC code; and a QR code.
 16. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising: placing the replaceablecartridge within the housing; reading the machine readable code with acompatible device; and transmitting data read from the machine readablecode to a usage tracking system; wherein generating the machine readablecode comprises at least one of: (i) encoding, within the machinereadable code, information indicating that the replaceable cartridge isreceived in the housing; (ii) encoding, within the machine readablecode, a housing identifier that uniquely identifies the housing; (iii)encoding, within the machine readable code, a cartridge identifier thatuniquely identifies the replaceable cartridge; and (iv) encoding, withinthe machine readable code, information that uniquely identifies thecombination of the housing and the replaceable cartridge.
 17. The methodaccording to claim 15, further comprising: placing the replaceablecartridge within the housing; reading the machine readable code with acompatible device; and transmitting data read from the machine readablecode to a usage tracking system; wherein generating the machine readablecode comprises at least one of: (i) encoding, within the machinereadable code, information indicating that the replaceable cartridge isreceived in the housing; (ii) encoding, within the machine readablecode, a housing identifier that uniquely identifies the housing; (iii)encoding, within the machine readable code, a cartridge identifier thatuniquely identifies the replaceable cartridge; and (iv) encoding, withinthe machine readable code, information that uniquely identifies thecombination of the housing and the replaceable cartridge.
 18. The methodaccording to claim 17, wherein the product is a hand cleaning liquid.19. The method according to claim 1, wherein the product is a handcleaning liquid.
 20. A method comprising: providing a plurality ofdispensers and a plurality of replaceable cartridges containing aproduct to be dispensed, wherein each of the plurality of dispensers isconfigured to removably receive at least a subset of the plurality ofreplaceable cartridges; marking each of the plurality of replaceablecartridges with a unique first marking; and marking each of theplurality of dispensers with a unique second marking; wherein the uniquefirst marking and the unique second marking are configured so that, whenone of the plurality of replaceable cartridges is received by one of theplurality of dispensers, the unique first marking and the unique secondmarking together form a unique optically machine readable code that isdetectable from outside of the one of the plurality of dispensers,wherein the unique optically machine readable code contains informationthat uniquely identifies the combination of the one of the plurality ofreplaceable cartridges and the one of the plurality of dispensers thatare combined to form the unique optically machine readable code.